Watch out for unhealthy behaviors if you're putting in plenty of extra hours at the office.

You might think that working overtime will get you ahead in the corporate world, and maybe it will. But all of that extra work may also make you indulge in unhealthy behaviors, especially if you're a woman.

Women who work long hours eat more high fat and high sugar snacks, exercise less, drink more caffeine and, if smokers, smoke more than their male colleagues. While for men, working longer hours has no negative impact on exercise, caffeine intake or smoking, psychologists say. 

Women simply handle working long hours and workplace stress differently than men, who generally  aren't expected to "multi-task" as often as women. But women are more likely to also serve as primary caretaker of their families and spend more time than men managing their households - and that often means giving up exercising and eating healthy.

British researchers said last year that women and men face the "daily hassles" of arguing with a coworker or friend, meeting with their bosses,  giving presentations, missing deadlines, and losing their keys. People who experienced one or more of such hassles ate more in-between meal snacks and fewer vegetables, no fruit, and smaller main meals, according to the results.

In other words, mental stress, rather than physical stress, causes them to snack, especially the people who are "emotional eaters," the researschers said.

Tips on snacking at work

Of course, if you're burning the midnight oil, you can still snack at work, as long as the food and drinks blend into your healthy eating plan. Nutritionists and dietitians say that if you must snack at work, try these tips: 

•  Bring healthy snacks from home so you can resist the urge to feed the vending machines, which are packed with snacks high in fat, calories and sugar;

•  Stash in your desk dry, whole-grain cereal; granola bars; nuts; pretzels, low-fat cookies, crackers and microwave popcorn; peanut butter; rice cakes.

•  Stash in the company refrigerator baby carrots, freshly cut vegetables; juice boxes, bottled water, yogurt, cheese, fresh fruit.

•  Prevent yourself from becoming too hungry or you may snack even more.

•  Select healthy foods and drinks for meetings and social events with coworkers.

•  Replace candy in your desk bowl with pretzels, rice cakes, low-fat popcorn or other healthy foods.

•  Think whether you really need food when you go on a break - a common time when people snack at the office.

•  Drink water instead of coffee with stress-inducing caffeine.

Nubella News, a division of Marketing Technology Solutions, Inc., offers content intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We encourage our readers to seek prompt medical care for health issues and consult their physicians before starting a new diet, fitness regimen, or medical treatment.